San Diego Community

Border Patrol agents have a dangerous job and put their lives on the line everyday to keep our borders safe. I feel that they were justified in their decision yesterday considering the situation they were in. It is unfortunate innocent people's lives were in danger, including the agents but, that is not the fault of the agents. The smugglers should be held accountable and to be blamed for their selfish and senseless acts held against everyone involved in yesterdays shooting. -- M.Thomas

The illegal smuglers did not care who they kill are run over why do you give the people that second guess the officers that did what they are trained to do to protect the USA air time? -- Bob

This problem could be solved very easily if Mexico would keep their people on their side of the border. These guys are criminals I support the agents. -- Georgie

I'm so tired of hearing about the poor criminals being shot at by law enforcement. The right to second-guess officers' actions should be held only by those who are willing to pick up a firearm, stand a post and put themselves in harms way to protect our country. The accountability needs to be with the coyotes endangering lives, not law enforcement. -- Paul

Either the border patrol agents are not trained according to the pursuit of their ocupation, or maybe this being "neighbors" is just patronizing petulance -- Alvar

The Border Patrol exists to protect the borders of the USA. In this age of terrorism, a group of vehicles attempting to crash their way into our country MUST be stopped. The border agents acted properly. We're proud of them. -- Jason

For all those agents knew, those vans could have had bombs, radioactive material, terrorists, etc. There job is to PROTECT our country and their own lives, not be concerned with WHY 3 vans appear to be running them down. I'm certainly glad no one was killed, but job well done guys. -- Kerry

Check into to the actions of the patrol agents? How about checking into the 3 human traffickers that stormed the border in vans filled with illegal aliens? For an agency to point blame at the U.S for protecting its borders, this is ridiculous! We have every right to protect our border as they do there’s. IN my opinion they did the right thing, how many illegals DIDN’T get across the border yesterday, how many tax dollars didn’t go to waist? Thank you border patrol agents! -- Ashley

I believe that the officers were justified for using deadly force to protect our borders. Smugglers and illegals both know what they were doing was wrong, but they continue to try and come in the U.S. illegaly. Our border should be protected!!!!! -- Billy

What some fail to realize is that, these smugglers were breaking the law; with that if the officers at the scene felt their lives were in danger the shooting was justified. When you decide to venture outside the laws set forth in a society you should be prepared to receive the consequences. Ignorance of the law is NEVER an excuse, nor is thinking you will get special treatment because of any legal status you might have. -- Brad

While I agree it is unfair that some of the innocent bystanders got caught in the crossfire, when are the Mexican citizens gonna get the drift that you CANNOT come into this country illegaly and expect to receive all the benefits that American citizens are entitled to, and most of our citizens dont even have access to it. This is America, we fight for our freedom and I for one dont like it when others try to come and take advantage of our system. If they want to come to America, let them do it LEGALLY. Those CBP officers take risks every single day they are on the job. Thank you for what you do. -- Leigh

I feel the shooting at the boarder was justified. the agent should be prased for proforming their jobs. in the military we are trained the mission takes priority. -- Herny

Any agency that trains it's personnel on Force Protection, are taught that a gun is used as a last resort or if you or your comrades lives are in danger, if the agent felt his/her life was in danger he/she has an obligation to protect themselves and their fellow members. A car charging towards you could be considered having your life in jeopardy. If that is in fact the case after the investigation, the officer had every right to discharge his/her weapon. -- Mark

They did the right thing. They didn't know what type of threat was coming at them. Smugglers or terrorist. -- Julio

They were illegals! The agents felt trapped by the vans trying to force their way across the border. They were justified. What is wrong with the liberals groups condemning this. These people were illegal and forcing their way across the border. Give me a break from this liberalism. -- Murray

Law Enforcement officials shot at criminals and lawbreakers who put their lives in danger. Case closed. The woman from the American Friends Service Committee should have a van load of criminals driving straight towards her and see what she does. -- Bob

"Friends" of what. These morons are the one's I want investigated. Are they another Acorn type organization getting tax money. I am sick of these "bleeding hearts". -- James Jolly

Uncalled For!! Every lane to exit the border station after you cross has tire piercing devices, they could have easily stopped the vehicles without having to open fire and put people in danger. Besides, INS should trigger businesses that hire illegal aliens instead of trying to stop the flow through the border. -- Cacho

The agents actions put many innocent bystanders lives at risk. The agents have a right to defend themselves...but when they make a decision to discharge their firearms in an area in which there are thousands of travelers, then that's a policy that needs to be reevaluated. -- Ron

I am very pleased with the action that our CBP Officer's took in yesterday's event. Its impossible for someone who was not there and did not see a 3000+ pound vehicle coming towards them give an opinion as to wether or not the officers were justified to shoot. I am sick and tired of all these civil liberties groups doubting our officers decisions. Its for these reasons why our officers often times second guess themselves on wether or not to shoot even when their own lives are at risk. These officers did what they had to do and let's not give the smugglers another tool (the justice system) to get out of their problems. I don't see any civil liberties groups making an attempt to capture and prosecute all of the illegal aliens that frequently assault our Border Patrol Agents. -- Alfonso